Brassica juncea. 120 days. Open-pollinated.
 
Sichuan Tsa Tsai Mustard, also known as Swollen Stem Mustard or Zha Cai, is a cool weather annual native to Southeast Asia.

Plant grows to about 6 to 7 inches in height and has a thick, knobby stem that swells into tuber-like bumps just below the leaves, which are smaller and narrower than other mustard varieties.

The stem is the most flavorful part of plant, offering a mix of spicy, salty, sour, and slightly sweet notes. The flavor of the leaves is less intense, with a light, peppery mustard taste.

The young stems and leaves can be enjoyed fresh in salads, stir-fries, or steamed, while the mature stems are most commonly pickled with salt and red chili paste to create a condiment called Zha Cai, a staple in Sichuan cuisine that is used to flavor to rice, noodles, and soups.